JERUSALEM (AA)

The Israeli High Court on Wednesday froze the implementation of a law passed by the Knesset on Tuesday that bans the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers.

On Tuesday, the Knesset approved the bill in its second and third readings, making it law, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent from the voting session.

The law was approved by a majority of 58 members against 54 opposing, out of 120 Knesset members, according to the newspaper Israel Hayom.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said the High Court on Wednesday issued an order stating that 'the law freezing the arrest of yeshiva students dodging military service will not take effect.'

It added that the order from the High Court will remain in effect until another decision is made on the matter.

The authority further stated that the judges saw in the interim order that the currently promoted law contradicts judicial precedents regarding equality of burden, as well as the positions of professional bodies that believe such steps encourage draft dodging.

It indicated that the High Court is expected to hold an expanded hearing soon.

Meanwhile, the Times of Israel website said that Judge Ofer Grosskopf, who issued the interim order, demanded the government explain why it did not repeal the law, based on previous High Court rulings on the matter and the arguments of the petitioners.

It added that several petitions were filed against the law immediately after its passage, arguing it is discriminatory, as it prohibits the arrest of Haredi yeshiva students who did not comply with conscription orders, while allowing the continued arrest of non-Haredi draft dodgers.

The law, which is part of an intensive legislative campaign by the government to meet Haredi demands for blanket exemptions from military service for yeshiva students, grants tens of thousands of Haredi draft dodgers immunity from arrest until late January 2027.

This protection extends to those who become eligible for military service after the law takes effect, effectively removing the risk of arrest and facilitating refusal of conscription during that period.

The law also suspends ongoing criminal proceedings against those already subject to enforcement actions.

The opposition says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed this law to ensure that the Haredim remain in the camp supporting him in the next general elections on October 27, 2023.

On Monday, Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir described the bill as 'unreasonable,' saying it 'clearly and unequivocally contradicts the army's needs' and amounts to 'granting collective exemptions from prosecution.'

The Times of Israel reported that approximately 72,000 Haredi young men, aged 18 to 24, are currently eligible for military service but have not enlisted.

It added that the Israeli military has repeatedly announced in recent months its urgent need for 12,000 new conscripts amid the ongoing conflict on multiple fronts.

It further noted that the law has faced strong opposition from reserve soldiers, legal advisors in the Knesset, and a large part of the general public.